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Colorado State's Trent Matthews better after Thursday night scare

Safety taken to hospital with quickened heartbeat, shivers

By Mike Brohard Sports Editor

Posted:
08/16/2013 12:20:21 PM MDT

Trent Matthews was rushed to the hospital last Thursday night after experiencing a quickened heartbeat and the shivers, but was released early Friday morning. The sophomore safety spoke with the team before practice, but did not participate.
(Steve Stoner)

FORT COLLINS -- Colorado State's football team went through a bit of a scare late Thursday as sophomore starting safety Trent Matthews was rushed the emergency room at Poudre Valley Hospital after having a quickened heart beat and getting the shivers in the dorms where the players are staying.

Head coach Jim McElwain praised the training staff staying with the players in the dorms for their quick work and judgement in getting Matthews to the hospital, as well as the emergency workers who tended to him.

"He was released about 2:30 (a.m.) last night, so I told him to go in and get a nap because he got a late night at it," McElwain said of Matthews. "Right now we're just monitoring it and should get another run of tests this afternoon, just to see where things are."

McElwain said Matthews wanted to practice Friday morning, but was instructed to take a nap instead. Matthews was still sleeping by the time practice ended and wasn't available for comment. However, he was in early for meetings and asked to speak to the team, which helped put their mind at ease.

"It was very good. He said some stuff that will stay in the family, but it was good to see him," said Kevin Pierre-Louis, who starts alongside of Matthews. "We knew he was in good hands, and when they told us he was OK, that's all we're believing. You just have to have faith that he'll be OK. It was a good thing to see him this morning."

Later in the day, Matthews released a statement through the university, saying he was feeling much better.

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"There have been times when I felt worse," he said, "but now I feel a lot better than wen I got back from the hospital."

Matthews also expressed his gratitude for the support he received from both his teammates and fans of the program. As for the fans, he felt a genuine care for him, not just a player in the program. When it came to his teammates, he was extremely moved.

"The response from my teammates was so surreal, because last night I didn't get to see them in action," Matthews said. "Today I did, and it showed me how much they cared about me and the love and bond we have with each other."

Teammates quickly hit Twitter on Thursday evening sending out prayers, and a few sent out photos of the emergency waiting room filled with teammates. Just after 2 a.m., Matthews hit Twitter to say: "Thanks For All Those Who Had Me In Your Prayers. I'm Doing Fine, And Can't Wait To Get Back On The Field."

McElwain was happy it was nothing serious and was touched by the outpouring of support the team showed Matthews by going to the hospital. The team's affirmation this year is one town, one team, one dream, and McElwain noted sometimes it takes a scare like what happened with Matthews to see if those are just words or true feelings.

He no longer has any questions in that regard.

"When Trent was in meetings today and asked to speak to speak to the team, he was really moved by it," McElwain said. "To see the outpouring and see how far his family, his Rams, have come as a team and a family."

There was no official word on what caused the symptoms Matthews was feeling, and McElwain said if Matthews is cleared, he could be back on the field for Friday's second practice at the stadium.

Sluggish -- McElwain said Friday's morning session was the first time he witnessed players getting a case of what he calls the "poor me's." However, he said that's an improvement from a year ago when he joked they appeared in practice two. Then again, he also realized a lot of guys were in the emergency room last night awaiting word on Matthews.

"I obviously went ahead and OK'd bed check different because of the concern," McElwain said.

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